Betty Stephens Cooper

Betty was born in Brooksville, Mississippi on March 29, 1930. She was the daughter of Terrell and Carrie Carpenter Stephens.

She was an honor graduate of Stephen D. Lee High School in Columbus, Mississippi, and a cum laude graduate of Mississippi University for Women. She received a master's degree from Mississippi State University magna cum laude and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Betty was married in 1951 to Frank R. Cooper III. They were the parents of two daughters, Catherine and Carrie. The family lived in Columbus, Tupelo, Greenville and Jackson, Mississippi. She lived in Madison the latter years of her life.

Betty’s teaching career spanned a period of forty years in both public and private schools in Mississippi. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Magna Carta Dames, Concordia and Heritage Clubs. She was also an active member of Madison First Baptist Church.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sisters, Virginia Wood and Lois Reichle. She is survived by her sister, Jeanne Eubanks; her daughters, Catherine Roper and Carrie Cooper; her grandchildren, Ryan Roper, Elizabeth Harris, and Carson Cooper; and her great grandchildren, Kinley Puckett, Bennett Roper, Kate Harris and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Betty will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Mississippi. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home's chapel.

A graveside service will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:30 pm at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to our honorary family members (and self-proclaimed ‘favorite students’) Julia Hodges and Beth Hosey, along with the wonderful ladies of Private Caregivers Group, Inc. Special thanks to Yolanda Shearill, Shirley Washington, Deborah Taylor, Dianna Collins, Pearlie Fairley, Lily Richardson, and Judy Miller, whose kindness and compassion brought both comfort and dignity to her final days. The family also thanks Katherine Sims, RN, and Heart of Hospice, whose care, presence, and heartfelt support meant more than words can express.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cheshire Abbey by mail to PO Box 16330, Jackson, MS 39236, through Venmo to @CheshireAbbey, or via phone to Canton Road Veterinary Hospital at (601) 956-6144.